The History & Origins Of Natural Stone

Are your clients curious about where their natural stone comes from and how it came  to be the beautiful form that it is now? Well, now you have the answers!

The Processing Of Natural Stones

Quarries around the world provide us with the most beautiful natural stone, but there is a lot that goes into transforming the stone from the quarry into the stone that is in your home.

• Extraction: Natural stone is quarried from mountains all over the world. Deep holes are dug into the side of quarries, where explosive cables are fed into the mountain and set off. The giant detached pieces are then hauled off to a factory for slabbing.
• Fabrication Process: The stone is then fabricated in a two way process that involves both cutting and finishing.
• Cut To Size: The blocks of stone are custom cut to the size that the customer ordered. After the product is cut, it is sent to be finished.

Natural Stone Finishes
 

• Flamed: This type of finish provides the stone with a rough texture that renders it slip-resistant. Because of this, it is ideal for outdoor use.
• Polished: Polishing stone gives it a mirror-like look and brings out the full color of the stone. This finish is ideal for indoor applications and is among the finest finishes available.
• Honed: Honed is another version of the polished stone finish. This gives the stone a non-glossy yet smooth appearance. Choose a matte finish for high traffic areas for its simple care and casual look.

Natural Stone Classification

There are various stones that are composed of a mixture of different minerals. Where do these stones come from, and where will they best fit in your home?

Igneous Rock:

Igneous stone forms when volcanic lava or magma is cooled and solidified. Igneous stones include:
 

• Granite: Works well on countertops, stair treads, driveway cobbles, patios, and fireplaces.
• Basalt: Suitable for countertops, paving, and driveways.

Metamorphic Rock:

Metamorphic stone is created by adding heat and pressure to an already pre-existing rock. Metamorphic stones include:
 

• Quartzite: Suitable for countertops, pool decks, kitchens, bathrooms and patios.
• Slate: Suitable for patios, stairs, windows, countertops, and gardens.
• Marble: Suitable for mosaics, bathrooms, fireplaces, and countertops.

Sedimentary Rock:

Sedimentary stone is formed by the deposition of elements such as wind, glaciers, plants, rivers, and oceans, which are then set in place by the sedimentation process. Sedimentary stones include:

• Limestone: Better suited for use on accent walls, fountains, kitchen countertops, bathrooms, and patios.
• Travertine: Perfect for paving, bathroom flooring, kitchens, and outdoor spaces.

If you are considering putting natural stone in your home, contact us at GMS Werks and we would love to help you out!